Abstract
To investigate the immunologic mechanism of acupuncture at Baihui
(GV 20) and Zusanli (ST 36) for treatment of depression.Eighty-four
cases of depression patients were randomly divided into an electroacupuncture
observation group (group A), an electroacupuncture control group
(group B) and a medication control group (group C), 28 cases in each
group. Baihui (GV 20) and Zusanli (ST 36) were used in the group
A; Taichong (LR 3), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Neiguan (PC 6) and Shenmen
(HT 7) were used in the group B; and the group C was treated with
oral administration of Fluoxetine. The scores of Hamilton Depression
Scale (HAMD) were tested and the level of serum interleukin 1 (IL-1
beta), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha)
were measured by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) before
and after treatment.Their scores of HAMD were obviously decreased
after treatment in three groups (all P<0.01). In the group A, 2 cases
were cured, 19 cases were markedly effective, 5 cases were effective
and 2 cases were ineffective. In the group B, 16 cases were markedly
effective, 12 cases were effective. While in the group C, 1 case
was cured, 17 cases were markedly effective, 7 cases were effective
and 3 cases were ineffective. The grade distribution of clinical
effect showed that the effect of group A was better (P<0.05). The
levels of serum IL-1 beta and IL-6 in the three groups were obviously
decreased after treatment (P<0.05, P<0.01), while there was no significant
difference between the level of serum TNF-alpha before and after
treatment.The effect of electroacupuncture observation group is superior
to those of electroacupuncture control group and medication control
group. All of these three methods can clear the inflammatory cytokines
such as IL-1 beta and IL-6 away and improve the symptoms of depression.
Users
Please
log in to take part in the discussion (add own reviews or comments).